cover image Lucky's Choice

Lucky's Choice

Susan Jeschke. Scholastic, $13.95 (40pp) ISBN 978-0-590-40520-1

Lucky is a house cat, sheltered, fed and safe, who spends his days watching his favorite TV show, ""Wes and the Witch.'' Outside his window, in the alley, cats gather around the Cat Lady who visits daily. Lucky longs for an adventure just like on TV; he decides that he needs a playmate more than a snack and befriends Ezra, a mouse. But when his mistress sees the mouse, she orders Lucky to kill it or else. Lucky and his friend run away together to the ``jungle,'' the world of alley cats, garbage cans and cold nights. The Cat Lady spots the two buddies cuddled up together and takes them home with her. This is a comical, straightforward story; the dilemma of choosing a life of earthbound safety or airborn adventure is a perennial theme that confronts all ages. Jeschke's all-too-human animals are remarkably sane and sensible; her art, parsimonious and tart. Ages 47. (April)